EARLY HISTORY

Tavonni is one size point away from being a T-Prime world - ripe for
colonisation. Why, therefore, has the Imperium ignored the world for centuries? To
understand this, one must first understand the history of the centuries-old Imperium/Sword
World conflict, and Imperial defensive strategy in the region.

The Buffer Zone

In the years prior to the First Frontier War (589-604), the Imperium
gradually expanded along the mains in a kind of "line of least resistance"
fashion. It took the war to make the Imperium recognise the danger posed by the Abyss. The
Sword Worlds, although not a united force, were now part of the Outworld Coalition.
Suddenly, the Imperium perceived the Sword Worlders to be a serious threat to the
"soft underbelly" of the Marches. Imperial strategists began saying that
"even Sir couldn't miss that gap" (attributed to Fleet Admiral Frederick
Shaeshpaa, Olav hault-Plankwell's chief-of-staff, referring to the Sword Worlder code of
deference)[1]. Plankwell duly dispatched Imperial forces to take the Abyss worlds and
"plug the gap".

This changed the Imperial strategic direction in the region.
Originally, the only Imperial worlds on the immediate far side of the Abyss were
Arba/Lunion and Rabwar/Lunion. A six-parsec gap existed between Arba and the next Imperial
world, Vilis/Vilis. The taking of Tavonni/Vilis and Saurus/Vilis created a buffer zone
between the Imperium and the Sword Worlds. At TL 11, even the best Sword World starships
were only jump-2 (even now, only a handful of ships are jump-3). To penetrate into the
Imperium means that any Sword Worlder fleet must jump into the buffer zone (the
Vilis-Saurus-Tavonni-Arba axis), refuel, and then jump into the "Imperium
proper".

With this buffer in place, the Imperium was free to develop a
"defence-in-depth" (similar in many ways to the current Regency Frontier). The
Navy and Scouts built bases on newly annexed Lanth/Lanth (the Navy for defence, the Scouts
for surveillance). The Navy built supporting bases on D'Ganzio/Lanth and
Ghandi/Lanth, and strengthened the base at Adabicci/Lunion. The IISS, again for
surveillance, established a base on Rabwhar/Lunion (at jump-3 from the Sword Worlds, it
was just out of reach). In order to allow for a "scorched-earth" retreat
strategy, the Imperium left the buffer-zone worlds undeveloped (with the exception of
Arba/Lunion).

Border Strategy and the Frontier Wars

Having taken these steps to secure their borders, the Imperium
ignored the border-zone worlds for centuries. They nearly lost Tavonni in the Third
Frontier War (979-986), when Sword World forces took Saurus and Margesi/Vilis. The
Imperial strategists did not view this as critical, since the only viable destinations
from Saurus are Vilis and Tavonni. Even so, they deemed Saurus and Margesi critical enough
for the Imperium to retake them in the Fourth Frontier War (1082-1084).

Standard Imperial strategy adopted for the region was to post scouts
in the buffer zone to fore-warn of invading fleets. This meant that the only permanent
presence on Tavonni was a Scout surveillance team. The IISS stationed three to four Scouts
on Tavonni to operate an array of sensitive detection equipment, and stationed a scout
ship at Tavonni's jump-point. If the ground base detected hostiles, it used a tight-beam
link to transmit the intelligence data to the scout ship, which then jumped to Lanth. The
Imperial forces used the early warning to retreat and regroup. The deep-support bases
continued supplying the Lanth strong-point, while high-mobility forces jumped behind the
lines to harass the enemy's line of supply.

During the Fifth Frontier War, the Imperials used this tactic quite
successfully, if a tad over-zealously. When Lanth heard that the Gram Fleet was at
Tavonni, they dispatched a counter-fleet to the system. This rapid response was actually
due to (faulty) intelligence data given out by Santanocheev's Office of Naval Information.
The ONI had calculated that any Sword World fleet needed at least three weeks to fully
frontier-refuel. Therefore, if the 193rd Fleet jumped immediately from Lanth, they would
catch the Sword Worlders in the buffer zone. In fact, the Gram Fleet refuelled in under
three days, and jumped directly for Lanth. The 193rd missed the Sword Worlders at Tavonni,
but returned to Lanth just in time to
surprise the Sword Worlder's planetary invasion.[2] On 096-1109, the newly formed 100th
Fleet forced the Gram Fleet off Lanth, and out of the subsector by 211-1109. Tavonni was
liberated shortly after.[3]

MODERN HISTORY

Modern Tavonni history covers a very short space of time,
encompassing 1111 to 1201. Caradoc LIC, a Ling Standard Products company, purchased the
system in 1117. Menelvagor Ltd, originally a Sword World company, built the starport. The
background on both companies provided below explains how this seemingly unlikely fusion
came about.

Caradoc LIC

Caradoc began when a retired Fleet Admiral (Count Leto
Khaanraarshuinki) and a retired Army general (Gukushriiken) created a trading company in
the Outrim Void (Egryn subsector, Trojan Reach). In 1099, the pair teamed up with two
ex-scouts and a merchant. By using their retirement benefits and Leto's family fortune,
they created a subsector-wide interface line by 1101. Trading, a lanthanum strike, and the
salvage of missing frontier cruiser Bright Light built Caradoc's capital to TCr1 by 1117.
When Leto learned of the Strephon's death, he foresaw trouble in the Outrim Void. Guessing
at the probable response of the ihatei (with knowledge gained from trading), he decided to
abandon their trading bases and retreat to the Marches. While scouring the sector for a
new base, Leto cut a deal with LSP to become a subsidiary company. This gave Caradoc
access to much-needed contacts within the Marches, and provided a large
capital base to draw upon. When his scouts returned, Leto decided that Tavonni was the
best choice for a base: it provided land, it was in an under-developed subsector, and it
was in a central location in the Marches.

Menelvagor Ltd

Menelvagor Ltd traded throughout the Marches for nearly ten years,
after being incorporated on Beater/Sword Worlds in 1101. Growing from a single free trader
to a fledgling company, it received a severe setback when pirates destroyed its flagship
Mithril Wanderer in 1110. The company lost its founder, Beowulf Heyerdahl, at the same
time. Baroness Heidi Maria Heyerdahl took over the company and steered it through the
remainder of the Fifth Frontier War. Two years later, the shipyards at Pixie/Regina
completed the company's new flagship Bonaventure, a 12,810-ton armed merchant cruiser.

The Tavonni Purchase

Leto travelled to Regina personally to petition Archduke Norris for
the Tavonni system. While attending a function, he met Heidi, and they discussed the
purchase. Heidi realised the potential of the concept and offered to build the starport.
Together, they approached Norris with a detailed proposal. It included the establishment
of a Scout base and xboat link between Vilis and Lanth, the creation of a starport, and
the provision of a small planetary defence fleet (partly to be comprised of surplus
Imperial Navy craft). Norris approved the Tavonni Purchase on 261-1117. An extensive
system survey began as Caradoc's Darrian Aslan company Ftai evacuated its holdings in the
Outrim Void.

Caradoc immediately constructed a basic D-class starport, while
Menelvagor raised a MCr 2,000 loan from Hortalez et Cie and began building the
"real" starport of Beowulf Down. Caradoc also recruited refugees from the ihatei
invasions as colonists. In a joint refuel/repair deal with Al Morai, Caradoc ensured that
the refugees were transported to Tavonni at a discount rate. In turn, Al Morai's dead-end
route from Regina to Garda-Vilis turned into a circular route to Lanth, connected via
Tavonni.

By the completion of Beowulf Down on 100-1121, Tavonni's population
had reached 117,200. A population boost occurred later that year, when a lanthanum strike
in the Peanuts belt brought miners flocking to the system. A further boost occurred when
the Domain learned of the AI Virus and forced Tavonni to destroy all its robots. The
government had to re-start colonist recruiting to replace the lost workforce.

The Sword Worlds Land-Grab and the Abandonment

The Imperial Navy supplied a surplus Kokirrak-class dreadnought to
the Tavonni Planetary Navy (TPN) on extended loan. Together with the Bright Light and
Bonaventure, the Khtai provided the core of the planetary fleet. The TPN increased in size
by loaning and purchasing numerous smaller ships. The ground forces grew from Caradoc's
original Aslan company through to regiment size by 1130.

In 1130, the Navy reclaimed most of the ships loaned to the TPN
(including the Khtai). They also nationalised many of the military ships owned by the TPN.
The Navy redirected all these vessels to assist the Quarantine. This almost proved the
undoing of Tavonni when the Sword Worlds attempted their land-grab in 1132. The TPN
desperately pressed into service every ship it could find, even using private vessels as
couriers where necessary. The Tavonni forces fought a rear-guard and somewhat
guerilla-like campaign against the invaders. The Sword Worlders managed to gain a foothold
on the surface, but sustained heavy casualties as the Ashsiimkir-Ftai, now an
Imperial-Aslan planetary regiment equipped to TL 15 standards, inflicted losses far
greater than their numbers would suggest. The Sword World ground forces could not crack
the four tank companies of the regiment, having to rely on ortillery that was then
vulnerable both to the tanks and to some well-placed deep-site meson guns. When elements
of the 18th Fleet finally relieved Tavonni, they drove the Sword Worlders out of the
system.

After this, the RQS returned a number of ships to the TPN, including
the Khtai, Bright Light, and Bonaventure. The Tavonni defence forces had their revenge,
accompanying the regular Regency forces when they annexed the Sword Worlds, supported by
the 151st Fleet from Sacnoth/Sword Worlds. Baroness Heidi personally claimed her homeworld
of Tizon in the name of the Regency.

The Abandonment (1133) was something of a lifesaver for Tavonni.
Deprived of its robotic workforce three years earlier, and having to rebuild
infrastructure destroyed by the Sword World invasion, the planet needed more people. With
a history of recruiting refugees for resettlement, the Tavonni government had an edge over
other Regency worlds that opened for colonists. Tavonni was almost able to pick and choose
whomever it wanted to bring, welcoming them into its society while cleverly avoiding the
"Refugee World" tag (some Regency citizens view this label with distaste). The
young Tavonni society thus succeeded in incorporating the refugees, much as it had the
original (and on-going) colonists for 15 years. However, the citizens of Tavonni -
normally friendly and accepting - voted recently
against allowing Zhodani refugees to settle in the system. Observers believe that this
result derives from the antipathy shown to all members of the former Outworld Coalition by
the families of Count Leto and Baroness Heidi.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Inward Clearance

Tavonni considers itself to be on the frontier. Even the forcible
acquisition of the Sword Worlds has not wiped out the memory of their attempted land-grab.
This perception shapes Tavonni's attitude towards defence and inward clearance. Most
outsiders often consider Tavonni's defence forces to be overly large. However, this allows
initial inward clearance to be cursory and almost automatic; always remember; the Navy
awaits insystem. A patrolling naval vessel makes a cursory scan of incoming traffic and
normally clears it through to Tavonni High. It may give special clearance if a vessel has
another destination (for example, another starport or base insystem). Generally, this must
be pre-arranged.

Tavonni System Control (TSC) is based at Tavonni High, and monitors
all in-system traffic. TSC controls the movement of ships to and from Tavonni High to all
downports, plus any ships with special clearance that bypass the highport. It also has the
authority to declare a civil or military emergency. The difference is that a civil
emergency causes rescue ships to race to the scene, while a military emergency causes
warships to race to intercept. Either way, TSC vectors civil and military traffic
throughout the system. All military traffic remains away from the civil lanes, unless they
enable their transponders.

All incoming ships, unless given special clearance, must dock at the
Tavonni High orbital port. Classed as "basic" in size, it houses up to 500
passengers and 500 work crew. Refined fuel, spare parts, armament stocks and annual
maintenance are all available, plus local foodstuffs and luxuries from across the sector.
Customs and immigration can clear planet-bound passengers either in orbit or on the
surface. In-bound cargo has a basic inspection performed on it to ensure that its bill of
lading is accurate. Starport Authority (SPA) customs officers sometimes inspect cargoes
for contraband, but this occurs less frequently for regular goods than for speculative
cargo. SPA personnel synchronise customs procedures with scheduled shuttle flights,
allowing passengers and cargo to proceed to the planet with little or no waiting.

If a ship wants to land at Beowulf Down, customs officers must first
inspect it at Tavonni High. Final customs clearance may be handled either at Tavonni High
or at Beowulf Down. TSC must then give landing clearance before the ship commences
re-entry. Note that ships with special clearance may undergo inspection, customs and
immigration at their destination downport.

The Mainworld

Seen from orbit, Tavonni appears untouched by civilisation. A
deliberately low-key approach to development has left much of the planet undeveloped,
making it look like a green jewel, lush with vegetation. While shuttling to the main
starport on Bj=F6rn=F6ya Island, it is difficult to imagine that advanced sophonts live
here at all. It is only when nearing The Plateau that artificial features begin to emerge
from the jungle.

Beowulf Down, the main starport, has excellent facilities for both
private and commercial travellers. Aircraft and small craft are available for charter.
Lone Scout Enterprises, an Imperial company originally created by ex-Scout commander
Mikheil B. Powell, provides spaceship construction and starship repair. A
full Scout base is attached to Beowulf Down, and is open for inspection once per month.
trendi (Tavonni Research, Engineering and Design Inc), a subsidiary of Menelvagor, markets
new vehicles and equipment.

The main tertiary industry is hosting conventions and meetings for
members of widespread Regency companies. The consequence of catering for these well-to-do
travellers means that Tavonni's prices are not for the faint-hearted. Accomodation within
the starport perimeter, for example, is at the Starport Hotel (4-star). The capital,
Tamoachan City, is located moments away from the starport via monorail. Accomodation here
ranges from the Hotel-at-the-Edge-of-the-World (5-star) through to the TAS Hostel
(4-diamond). The off-worlder notices immediately that, having begun with only pre-fab
buildings, Tavonni's population now prefers luxurious dwellings. Due to the cultural
diversity, a number of restaurants provide off-world cuisine. In fact, most of the
cuisines of three sectors, five species and four major races can be sampled in the capital
alone.

Tavonni Safari Park (TASP), the next island west of Bj=F6rn=F6ya, is
for exclusive use by safaris. These include both camera shoots and big-game hunting
expeditions. Visitors can see much of the more exotic of Tavonni's wildlife inhabiting the
island. The Tavonni Beach Resort is the only permanent construction on TASP.

The primary Aslan settlements are located on the eastern continent,
mainly for historical reasons. Caradoc's base is located here, operating out of the
original starport (now C-class). It was on this continent that Count Leto first granted
land to members of the Ftai company. One other spaceport in
known to exist on the planet, but its location is classified - as are the locations of
Tavonni's deep-site meson guns. At least four of these are believed to exist - possibly
more.

Infrastructure

Civilisation on Tavonni is widespread, literally! Being a young
settlement, Tavonni's infrastructure is less than 70 years old, and averages out at TL 13
(some at TL 15). This planetary infrastructure contributes to the settlement pattern on
Tavonni.

The only large population centre is Tamoachan City (located close to
Beowulf Down), with most of the population living in medium sized communities, separated
from their nearest neighbours by up to 600 km or more. Most of these mid-sized communities
support smaller communities, based on primary industry. This settlement pattern means that
there are few long-distance ground transport links. Most passenger transportation is via
grav vehicles, either air/raft taxi for short distances, or GCoach for longer distances
(for example, via the Vargr-owned long-haul bus company, "G-Hound"). These
long-distance services stress high speed. Rental vehicles are also available, ranging from
'Hatchback' style through to Grav RV. Bulk cargo trade is via either a few ocean-going
merchant ships, or small craft/starships.

From early on, the government recognised the need for a good
communication net to limit the danger of dropping out of contact. Without it, help was
almost impossible to call for, and rescuers would spend a considerable time deploying.
Tavonni established an excellent and affordable communications network.
All vehicles must be fitted with emergency beacons. Rental of a communications service is
available at short notice for Cr1 per day plus Cr0.3 per 10 minutes on-line, with Hand
Computer access at Cr3 per day (long term rentals are lower than these prices). The
Government also created a rapid deployment emergency service facility. In the early days,
the easiest way to provide these emergency services was to form them from the existing
military medical and police force. Today, they still retain a paramilitary flavour, being
staffed predominantly from ex-military personnel. For this reason they find it very easy
to escalate problems to full military support in an emergency (the military are obliged to
lend a hand in civil emergencies). They also have good access to funding, heavy equipment,
and the Count's ear on major issues.

SOCIETY

First Impressions

The streets of Tavonni are very cosmopolitan. Droyne (a few) rub
shoulders (or shoulder to hip) with Aslan (a large portion of the population). Many
businesses have been started with multi-racial, and multi-species partners. Most such
businesses find the diversity an encouragement for all their client races.
Travellers find the population open and friendly. Since most people are only first- or
second-generation settlers (sometimes third), they welcome people from across the Regency.

The Military

Since the very start of development on Tavonni, there has always had
a strong military presence in the system. Starting by settling the Ftai company, Tavonni
has constantly reviewed and upgraded its defences. The Sword World border was always on
the mind of Count Leto, and he was the first to recommend annexation of the Sword Worlds
when they began their land grab.

The need for the military has never been questioned - especially in
light of the fact that they are citizens with voting rights. The Tavonni Planetary Navy
and the Ashsiimkir-Ftai regiment cemented this need in the hearts of the populace, with
their heroic defence of the system against the invading Sword World
fleets.

GOVERNMENT

Democratic government has always been a key part of Tavonni's
development. Count Leto shrewdly decided that his planet needed to be
"democratic" in order to attain the "Rich" trade classification.
Accordingly, he formed a Constitutional Committee to create the Tavonni Constitution and
system of government. The Committee decided that "the people of the planet of Tavonni
will be governed by a representative democracy, elected from either an independent
platform or a party system. This elected legislative body will be known as the Government
of Tavonni (hereinafter referred to as the Government)" [excerpt from the Tavonni
Constitution].

The population of a locality elects 10 local councillors. In turn,
each local council elects one of its members to be their representative on the regional
council. Each regional council elects two of its members for the planetary government: one
for the House of Legislation, and one for the House of Review (this system was an attempt
at preventing a two-party political system from forming). Each level of government can
pass legislation that will take effect in its own area: local councils can pass Local
Regulations; regional councils can pass Regional Ordinances; and the Planetary Government
can pass Bills that become Planetary Statutes, with the Count having the power of veto. If
lower laws conflict with higher laws, the lower laws are deemed suspended. The Tavonni
Police Force enforces all three types of law.

Planetary Statutes can also be created by plebescite (a vote of the
entire population). All "matters of public importance" are decided on by
plebescite. In most matters of public importance, the people tend to vote the same way. In
70 years, the closest result of a plebescite has been 60:40 (the Zhodani settlement vote).
Every citizen of Tavonni over 18 years of age is be eligible (but not required) to cast
one vote in any election or plebiscite that occurs in their locality, and is eligible to
submit a petition for a general plebiscite. The Count is NOT allowed to cast a vote in a
plebiscite, unless the matter concerns the Count's Household, the County Estate, or the
Planet of Tavonni as a whole. The Count IS allowed to vote in elections for his locality.

Note that non-compulsory voting often allows the Count to influence
the vote: he grants leave to any member of the military who wants to vote. The military
personnel, generally favourable to the Count anyway, have a course of voting suggested to
them via a "How To Vote" card and an educational campaign.

LANDHOLDINGS

Originally, the estate of the Count of Tavonni consisted of the
entire system of Tavonni. This expanse of territory has dwindled somewhat, due to the
constitutional laws agreed to by the Count. Crown Land is land directly owned by the
Count's Household. This is also known collectively as the County Estate. Private citizens
or companies may purchase freehold real estate from the County Estate. This is then
considered to be "private land". The Government of Tavonni is granted land for
public use ("public land") by the County Estate. Public land also includes other
areas of Crown Land specifically set aside by the Count. The Government may resume private
land, but only by Statute.

Resources beneath the land are NOT the possession of the owner;
these are possessed by the lessee of the mineral rights for the area. If there is no
stated lessee, then the implied ownership rests with the Count of Tavonni.